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Approach Avoidance Training for Alcohol Use Disorder in Veterans

This study is testing a new behavioral training called Approach Avoidance Training (AAT) for Veterans with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). AAT uses a computer program with a joystick to help you learn to avoid alcohol-related images. The study wants to see if AAT, when combined with standard VA care, can help Veterans reduce their hazardous drinking and improve their daily lives. You may be able to join if you are a Veteran between 18 and 65, fluent in English, have an AUD diagnosis, and have been abstinent for no more than 90 days. We will measure success by looking at changes in your drinking-related problems over 6 months. The current status of this study is unclear, but it plans to enroll 176 participants.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 176 participants. It compares Approach Avoidance Training (AAT) with a Sham Training, where there is no specific instruction for avoiding alcohol images.
What's involved
You will participate in the training and have your drinking-related problems measured at the start, after 6 weeks, and then at 3 and 6 months.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 6 months after the training to assess changes in their drinking-related problems.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05372029

AAT for Alcohol Use Disorder in Veterans

Recruiting
NAAges 18–65InterventionalTreatment
VA Office of Research and Development
~176 participants
Updated 2026-08-19 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Approach Avoidance TrainingSham Training

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in the Drinker Inventory of Consequences (DrInC)
Measured over Baseline, post (week 6), follow up 1 (3 mo.), followup 2 (6 mo.)

Conditions

Alcohol Use Disorder

Explore related trials

Alcohol use disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
California1

Study leadership

  • Jessica A Bomyea, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA

Who to contact

Jessica A Bomyea, PhD
[email protected]
(858) 642-3720
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

fluent in English
primary diagnosis of AUD with no more than 90 days abstinence from alcohol
4-week stability if taking psychotropic medications

Exclusion

lifetime history of psychotic or bipolar disorder
neurodegenerative or neurodevelopmental disorders
history of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury or other known neurological condition
sensory deficits that would preclude completing tasks
suicidal or homicidal ideation within the past month necessitating urgent higher level care
concurrent individual psychotherapy or other treatment outside of standard DDRP programming
conditions unsafe for completing MRI scanning for those completing the scanning component only (e.g., metal in body)

What this trial measures

  • Change in the Drinker Inventory of Consequences (DrInC)Baseline, post (week 6), follow up 1 (3 mo.), followup 2 (6 mo.)

    The DrInC assesses alcohol-related adverse functional consequences across physical (e.g., harmed physical health), interpersonal (e.g., loss of relationships), role responsibilities (e.g., missed work), psychological (e.g., loss of hobbies), and impulse control-related problems (e.g., legal problems) with higher scores indicating worse outcomes. Total scores range from 0 to 50.